Kyle Hendricks

The Cubs resume their 2024 campaign following a day off in which to MRI Justin Steele's left hamstring and to process the bottom of the 10th loss to the Rangers. Kyle Hendricks brings his veteran wiles to bear against the Texas Rangers in game two of the season. 

The Cubs enter the final series of the season half a game out of the final NL Wild Card spot. A devastating sweep in Atlanta puts them in a difficult position. And the fact that they played each game closely against the best team in the majors comes as little consolation--particularly as defensive miscues and a depleted bullpen can be blamed for each loss rather than the petty baseball fates. The Cubs have an uphill climb as they take on the NL Central leaders. Mere weeks ago, fans could hope that the Cubs would come into this series with a chance to knock the Brewers off of that hilltop.

The Cubs have three games to turn around a 2-4 homestand. They suffered a three game sweep at the hands of the Reds and are now joined at Wrigley by the 39-16 Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays sit atop a strong AL East and hold the best record in baseball. The Cubs currently find themselves at the opposite end of the spectrum, falling to last in the NL Central and holding a record better than only the farcical Oakland Athletics. They remain, however, only 5.5 back in the division. See below for matchups.

by Moshe W.

Kyle Hendricks will be aggressively targeted by the Cubs for an extension this offseason. 

The Diamondbacks parlayed four walks and three run-scoring singles into a five-run 9th inning, rallying to defeat the Cubs 5-1 in Cactus League "B" game action this morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.

Kyle Hendricks got the start for the Cubs and was masterful, tossing five innings of one-hit shutout ball (55 pitches - 37 strikes, 7/5 GO/FO), allowing no walks, while striking out three (all three swinging). 

Zac Rosscup then worked a 1-2-3 eight-pitch top of the 6th (two strikeouts looking and a 4-3 GO), and Justin Grimm worked a 1-2-3 top of the 7th (a lead-off F-7, and two strikeouts swinging).

Meanwhile the Cubs were unable to do anything against D-backs LHP Vidal Nuno, who threw four innings of one-hit shutout ball (no walks & eight strikeouts). Then Arizona closer Addison Reed worked a scoreless bottom of the 5th, allowing a lead-off walk before retiring the side in order. 

The Cubs finally plated a run in the bottom of the 7th off Randall Delgado, as Mike Baxter drew a lead-off walk, was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a Jonathan Herrera one-out RBI single.  

Neil Ramirez allowed a lead-off single in the top of the 8th but then struck out the side, and the Cubs entered the top of the 9th holding a slender 1-0 lead. 

But Daniel Bard could not find home plate, throwing seven consecutve balls to start the inning before finally recording a strike. He eventually would walk all four men he faced on 23 pitches (only seven strikes). AAA Iowa RHRP Tony Zych relieved Barth with no outs and the bases loaded and the score tied 1-1, and he surrendered RBI singles to minor leaguers Rudy Flores, Zach Borenstein, and Alex Glenn, as the D'backs broke the game open.  

If there was any lingering doubt that Daniel Bard's "Steve Blass Disease" is in remission or has been cured, today's outing should put that to rest. His pitches to left-handed hitters were consistently high & outside, and his pitches to right-handed hitters were all over the place  

Here is the abridged box score from today's "B" game (Cubs players only): 

Justin Ruggiano, Welington Castillo, and Christian Villanueva blasted solo home runs, and Kyle Hendricks threw 2.2 IP of no-run/no-hit ball, as the Cubs "White" team defeated the Cubs "Blue" team 5-3 in a six-inning Cactus League Intrasquad game played this afternoon in what was the first Cubs game played at Cubs Park in Mesa.